Thanksgiving...

I have a lot to be Thankful for this year....

- I was able to keep my job by the skin of my teeth and have not been furloughed
- My family and friends are healthy
- I have a safe and large (esp for NYC standards) apartment with good roommates and do not have to commute.
I can keep going but it might bore you all...

Being not only a flight attendant, but low on the seniority list (which is everything in our occupation) means that I give up and work a lot/all holidays. Every once in a while I may get lucky (like Christmas off) but not often. This was the 4th year I was working on Thanksgiving. The last two years I sat Ready Reserve, which is also what I was scheduled for this year, but I lived and was based in Cincinnati so after getting off late I was able to meet the family for leftovers and to hang out into the evening. This year, there was no way home so I decided to do Thanksgiving a day early.
However- another part of being a Flight Attendant is being flexible. So when I went on call on the 24th I was expecting only an out and back, however... we were short staffed so my Thanksgiving plans were completely bashed when they moved my day off and assigned me a 2 day trip. Instead of getting upset about it, I took the time that afternoon before work to hit the grocery and get Thanksgiving dinner ready.

Geoff is from Canada, and since he is also usually working, he hasn't really ever had an American Thanksgiving. I was going to surprise him with a big spread when he got off his trip on Wednesday. So, I made up my own "Flight Attendant Thanksgiving" so we could still eat that night when I got off work at 10pm. It was a bit smaller than my usual dinner but with the two of it, it was perfect!

I made sweet potatoes
Green bean casserole
Crockpot Turkey and stuffing
and 2 pumpkin desserts- a pie and pumpkin bars with cream cheese icing.

I wasn't too sure how the Crockpot turkey/stuffing was going to turn out but it was so good that i felt the need to share this recipe. For a flight attendant on the move, it saved Thanksgiving and all Geoff had to do was push on and wait for me to get home.


Source: Casseroles and Slow Cooker Meals by Pillsbury

Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 8 to 9 hours

Ingredients:
1 package (6-oz) cubed herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1 cup sliced celery (2 medium stalks)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning, if desired
1 cup chicken or turkey broth
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
2 lb bone-in turkey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 jar (12-oz) turkey gravy

Directions:
Spray a 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In a bowl, mix stuffing mix, celery, onion and poultry seasoning. Stir in broth to moisten and then stir in the cranberries.

Spoon half of the stuffing into cooker and sprinkle turkey with salt and pepper. Place over stuffing. Put remaining stuffing around the turkey.

Cover and cook on Low heat for 8 to 9 hours.

About 15 minutes before serving, remove turkey from cooker and keep warm. Stir stuffing and cooking juices until mixed. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes.

Heat gravy on stove.


I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of good food, family and cheer!